The New Activity 14
Hundreds of federal employees from around the country attended NTEU's 2016 Legislative Conference urging Congress to give federal agencies the resources they need to fulfill their missions and stop the ongoing threats to their pay, benefits and collective bargaining rights.
The three-day event’s theme, “Working for a Better Future,” serves as a clarion call for NTEU delegates, who visited members of Congress to demand action on NTEU’s legislative priorities.
Congressman Steny Hoyer (from Maryland), and NTEU National President Tony Reardon addressed the delegates during the opening session.
“We need the best civilian workforce possible, which requires that we invest in recruiting and retaining the most talented employees,” Hoyer said.
Federal employees constitute the world’s best civil service but Congress too often fails to show them the respect and appreciation they deserve. That turns off older federal employees and discourages young people from applying for federal jobs, Hoyer said.
“When they see us shutting down the government, and they see pay freezes, pensions undermined and federal employee health benefits not as generous as they could be … what do you think young people think? They think, ‘I don’t want to work for that employer. That employer doesn’t treat their people well,’” Hoyer said.
President Reardon recounted the many ways that federal employees protect and aid our nation and encouraged the conference attendees to tell their stories to Congress. He detailed how proposals to slash the federal workforce, take away employee workplace rights and starve their agencies, would not just hurt employees, but the government’s ability to serve its citizens.
“Because of what you do every day, every American has a better future,” the NTEU leader said. “But today, too many federal employees, like many middle-class Americans, are working harder than ever but are not able to make ends meet.”
Earlier in January, NTEU’s Legislative Advisory Council set the union’s agenda for the rest of this year. More than 350 NTEU members attending the legislative conference this week will advocate for the union’s five goals: Protecting federal retirement from egregious attacks, seeking adequate funding for agencies in fiscal year (FY) 2017, fighting for a fair and meaningful federal pay raise, safeguarding federal health benefits and beating back efforts to eliminate workplace rights and weaken federal unions.
NTEU members are proud of the work they do on behalf of their country, but not everyone in Congress appreciates the sacrifices made by the federal workforce, President Reardon said. “We can change that dynamic."
The NTEU leader continued by saying, “We’re working for a better future, not just for ourselves, but for the citizens of this great country you serve so diligently each day. That is why you signed up for federal service.”
"If federal employees don’t speak up, some in Congress may never understand, much less appreciate, the work they do or treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve," Reardon said.
“Between pay cuts and increased retirement contributions, federal workers have contributed more than $182 billion towards budget savings,” he said.
“NTEU has blocked many attempts to do even more damage, but the pressure is relentless and that is why we must raise our voices together in unyielding resistance to actions that would harm the federal workforce."
What we have is an organization...a Union, that loves its employees and will continue to fight on your behalf. You, as a federal employee, have enough to worry about in servicing the American Public. Not to mention, the service with limited resources, limited or frozen pay and constant Congressional bashing. We appreciate your hard work and will continue to press the issues important to your work-life and home-life. - NTEU Chapter 14
The Action Rally 14
February 27th, 2014 - Hundreds of members of the nation’s largest independent union of federal employees rallied on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol today with a message for Congress: attacks on government workers and public services must be replaced with support for federal employees and their work.The noon rally—a key part of the annual legislative conference of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU)—drew supportive appearances by several members of the House and Senate. “You protect our borders and the nation’s agriculture. You safeguard our food supply and nuclear power plants. You feed hungry children and provide services to the elderly. You protect bank deposits and retirement investments,” NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley told the enthusiastic crowd on the West Front of the Capitol.
“Federal workers deserve support, and today we are here to demand that support,” Kelley said.
The federal workforce has already contributed more than $138 billion to budget savings, over the next 10 years. “Congress needs to stop looking to federal workers and our families to fund budget shortfalls,” Kelley said. She added: “Today, we are here to tell Congress to fund our agencies so we can continue to serve the public. Our economy is recovering, but many in this country are still hurting. This is no time to cut back on critical services to Americans.”Among the worst of those cuts has been a reduction of nearly $1 billion in the budget of the Internal Revenue Service in recent years, resulting in the loss of some 10,000 employees, and making it much more difficult for taxpayers to understand and comply with their tax obligations. The NTEU members, representing 31 federal agencies, are in the second day of the three-day legislative conference which, in addition to today’s rally, features face-to-face meetings with members of the House and Senate regarding NTEU’s priority legislative issues for this year. These include securing a fair and appropriate pay raise for federal workers; an end to sequestration; avoiding changes adversely impacting the federal health insurance program; securing a further cut in the private contractor reimbursement cap; and a halt to attacks on federal pensions that result in higher employee contributions with no increase in annuity, effectively resulting in a pay cut. President Kelley applauded the crowd for their continued fight against the damaging policy of sequestration; for the fight against a government shutdown and for subsequent retroactive pay; as well as their continuing efforts against non-stop attacks on federal pay and retirement. In return, they cheered loudly in the cold weather as she said “As long as some in Congress continue to do harm to federal workers, go after our pay and retirement, cut our agencies’ budgets and resist cuts to contractors, we will keep fighting.”
NTEU’s message to Congress about the federal workforce is clear, Kelley said: They work for US!“Our union is a union of dedicated public servants who make this country a better place, and I know I speak for all of the members of Congress who spoke today when I say I am proud to stand with you and to fight with you,” the NTEU leader said. She was joined in addressing the crowd by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.), each of whom continues to be a staunch supporter of the federal workforce. In support of the call for higher pay for federal employees, Rep. Hoyer said “Fair is fair—and competitive” with the private sector. “You are making America better every day,” he told the rally, despite difficulties posed by budget cuts. “You carry out what we in Congress want to have done, but without resources.” Sen. Cardin drew cheers when he said “I stand with NTEU.” In calling for strengthened benefits and a reasonable pay raise, he added: “You are being asked to do more with less—and enough is enough.” Both Rep. Sarbanes and Rep. Connolly emphasized their continuing respect for the work of federal employees. Rep. Sarbanes noted that such key activities as providing homeland security and regulating the financial industry cannot happen without dedicated federal employees and adequate budgets. “We need to put money behind the workers who make it happen,” he said. Rep. Connolly applauded the continuing commitment of federal employees; emphasized that as a member of Congress, he, too, is a federal worker; and pointedly added: “It is about time Congress stopped using federal employees as a punching bag.”
 No More Cuts!On clear and sunny 20 degree day in DC, we rallied on the Hill for you and your families! NTEU Chapter 14 was definitely loud and proud! By the way...who's the lone individual off to the right (possible reporter)? Security! |  Outrageous PicketsIf you look real close you would be able to catch what these individuals had to say on their signs right outside the Longworth House Office Building. |  Braving the ColdNTEU Chapter 14 Leaders are standing tall in the cold with a very loud and clear message: "Support Federal Workers" and "They Work for U.S." |
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 Hold 'Em HighChapter leaders are on point while Senator Ben Cardin confirms his stand with us. He made a very clear statement for federal employees that "You are being asked to do more with less...and enough is enough." |  What Do WE Want?An end to the sequester, fair pay, better resources to do our jobs and positive recognition for the shots we take from the very public we proudly serve. The chaos created is based on congressional shenanigans we as federal employees do not control. |  DC Night CapA beautiful scene just outside the Rayburn House Office Building of the Capitol. Yep...this is where all the "magic" happens. (magic to be defined by anyone at any given moment) |
 We Will Be HeardCaught in the act... Evelyn speaks from the heart with pure FACTS. There were good words in Congressman Enyart's office. |  GrassrootsThe National Office Staff has been a HUGE support of Chapter 14! We thank them personally each chance we get when in D.C. |